Side panel for a snowmobile

ABSTRACT

A snowmobile includes a side panel that is mounted to the snowmobile&#39;s frame about a generally vertically extending side panel axis. In a closed position, the side panel protects and encloses a lateral side of the snowmobile&#39;s engine. In an open position, the side panel facilitates easy access to the engine. The side panel includes a lower leg support that includes a knee rest, a lower front leg support, and an inner leg support. The lower leg support improves the rider&#39;s comfort and ability to actively position himself on the snowmobile. The snowmobile also includes a rewind starter operatively connected to the engine. The rewind starter is accessible through a hole formed in the side panel.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/609,405 filed on Jul. 1, 2003 now abandoned, this application is alsoa continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/877,190filed on Jun. 11, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,564, both of which areincorporated herein by reference. Through U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/609,405, this application also claims the benefit of priority toU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/430,096, titled “SIDE PANEL FOR ASNOWMOBILE,” filed Dec. 2, 2002, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the fairings, engine covers, and ridersupports of vehicles such as snowmobiles.

2. Description of Related Art

Unless otherwise expressly stated, all dimensions for snowmobile ridersare based on a standard rider, who is defined by a 50^(th)-percentileUnited States human male who weighs 78 kilograms (174.8 lb.) and has thedimensions shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. As would be obvious to one ofordinary skill in the art, the dimensions illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8are in centimeters with the middle values representing the50^(th)-percentile U.S. human male. Similarly, all positioning of theriders is based on the positioning of a standard rider on a snowmobilein a standard position. In the standard position, the rider is seated onthe seat, is holding the steering device with his hands, and has hisfeet on the footrest. Accordingly, the rider has the position shown inthe Figures (i.e., in the approximate position of a rider a few secondsafter starting the vehicle, heading straight ahead on a flat terrain).

As illustrated in FIG. 9, conventional snowmobiles 10 share a commonconstruction: they combine features and elements so that the snowmobilerider 20 sits in a generally upright position on a seat 30 in a locationtoward the rear of the snowmobile 10. When the rider 30 is seated inthis generally-relaxed fashion, the seat 30, a footrest 40, and asteering device (such as a handlebar) 50 support all of the forces thatthe rider 30 exerts on the snowmobile 10.

The snowmobile 10 includes a frame 60 that supports a motor 70 (e.g., aninternal combustion engine, etc.). The motor 70 is operatively connectedto an endless drive track 80 that is also supported by the frame 60. Twosteering skis 90 are operatively connected to the steering device 50 toenable the rider 20 to steer the snowmobile 10.

An engine cover 100 (or fairing) pivotally mounts to the frame 60 abouta laterally extending engine cover axis 110. The engine cover 100 isselectively movable between a closed position (FIG. 9) that encloses andprotects the motor 70 and an open or raised position (FIG. 10) thatallows access to the motor 70 and/or other interior compartments of thesnowmobile 10.

When the motor cover 100 is closed, its lower edges mate with upperedges of a motor pan 120 that protects and encloses a lower portion ofthe motor 70. Whenever maintenance is to be performed to the engine orthe components inside the motor pan 120, the user must bend over theupward extending side portions of the motor pan 120. Also, since themotor pan is not removable, the access to the side portions of theengine is very cumbersome due to the limited space between the engineand the side portions of the motor pan 120.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of one or more embodiments of the present invention providesa snowmobile that positions the rider in an improved, more activeposition on the snowmobile.

Another aspect of one or more embodiments of the present inventionprovides a snowmobile with a side panel that both protects and enclosesthe snowmobile's motor and provides a lower leg support for the rider.

Yet another aspect of one or more embodiments of the present inventionprovides a snowmobile that includes a frame, a motor supported by theframe, an endless drive track supported by the frame and operativelyconnected to the motor, a straddle type seat supported by the frame, twosteering skis supported by the frame, and a side panel connected to theframe. The side panel has a lower leg support that is constructed andarranged to support a snowmobile rider's lower leg.

According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, theside panel is connected to the frame for relative pivotal movement abouta side panel axis, and the side panel has open and closed positionsrelative to the frame. The side panel axis forms an angle with avertically extending line that is preferably less than 45 degrees, andis more preferably less than 30 degrees. A side of the motor may beaccessible when the side panel is in its open position. The side panelmay cover a side of the motor when in its closed position.

According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, thelower leg support is rigidly supported by the frame such that lower legforces exerted on the side panel by the snowmobile rider are transferredto the frame through the side panel.

According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, thesnowmobile further includes a starter cord and handle operativelyconnected to the motor. The side panel preferably includes a holethrough which the handle may be accessed to start the motor. The sidepanel may have an outer surface that surrounds the hole such that whenthe handle is in a wound position, the handle does not extend outwardlypast the outer surface.

According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, theside panel includes a first panel portion that extends generallylongitudinally and vertically, a second panel portion that extendslaterally inwardly from a rearward end of the first panel portion, thesecond panel portion defining the lower leg support, and a third panelportion that is generally vertical and extends rearwardly from an inwardportion of the second panel portion. The snowmobile may also include alatch mechanism that selectively secures the third panel portion to theframe. The first panel portion is preferably constructed and arranged tobe disposed laterally outwardly from the snowmobile rider's leg so as toprotect the snowmobile rider's leg during operation of the snowmobile.The third panel portion preferably defines an inner leg support.

According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, theside panel has a knee rest that is constructed and arranged to supportthe snowmobile rider's knee. The side panel may alternatively and/oradditionally include a lower front leg support that is constructed andarranged to support the lower front leg of the snowmobile rider.

Yet another aspect of one or more embodiments of the present inventionprovides a snowmobile that has a frame, an internal combustion enginesupported by the frame, a rewind starter that includes a starter cordand a handle operatively connected to the engine, an endless drive tracksupported by the frame and operatively connected to the engine, astraddle type seat supported by the frame, two steering skis supportedby the frame, and a side panel connected to the frame. The side panelhas a hole through which the handle may be accessed to start the engine.

According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, theside panel has an outer surface that surrounds the hole. When the handleis in a wound position, the handle does not extend outwardly past theouter surface. When the handle is in a unwound position, the startercord passes through the hole.

According to a further aspect of one or more of these embodiments, theside panel is connected to the frame for relative pivotal movement abouta side panel axis, and the side panel has open and closed positionsrelative to the frame. The side panel axis forms an angle with avertically extending line that is preferably less than 45 degrees, andis more preferably less than 30 degrees. A side of the engine ispreferably accessible when the side panel is in its open position. Theside panel preferably covers a side of the engine when in its closedposition.

Additional and/or alternative aspects, features, advantages, and objectsof embodiments of the present invention will be described in or apparentfrom the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in conjunctionwith the following drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a left side view of a snowmobile according to one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial right, side, perspective view of the right side ofthe snowmobile shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial right, side, perspective view of the right side ofthe snowmobile shown in FIG. 1, with a right side panel in an openposition;

FIG. 4 is a top, right perspective view of the right side panel of thesnowmobile shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a right side view of the right side panel shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the right side panel shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a standard snowmobile rider;

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the standard snowmobile rider shown inFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a left side view of a snowmobile according to the prior art;and

FIG. 10 is a right side view of the snowmobile shown in FIG. 9, with themotor cover in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a snowmobile 200 according to one embodiment ofthe present invention. The snowmobile 200 includes a frame 210. Astraddle type seat 220 is constructed and arranged to support a standardrider 300 and is supported by the frame 210. A motor 230 (such as a twoor four stroke internal combustion engine) is supported by the frame210. The frame 210 includes a tunnel 235, which preferably comprises oneor more pieces of bent sheet metal that form an inverted channel. Anendless drive track 240 is supported by the tunnel 235 through a rearsuspension system 250 (such as a slide rail suspension system). Theendless drive track 240 operatively connects to the motor 230 to propelthe snowmobile 200. Two steering skis 260 are supported by the frame 210through a front suspension system 270 (such as a pusher arm suspensionsystem or a double A-arm suspension system). The steering skis 260operatively connect to a steering device 280 such as a handlebar orsteering wheel. The tunnel 235 supports a footrest 290 that isconstructed to support the feet of the standard snowmobile rider 300.

Elements of the snowmobile 200 (such as, for example, the seat 220,frame 210, footrest 290, and steering device 280) are positionedrelative to each other so that the standard snowmobile rider 300 who issitting on the seat 220 in a standard riding position is positionedfarther forward on the snowmobile 200 than the snowmobile rider 30 is onthe conventional snowmobile 10 (FIG. 9). Furthermore, the rider 300 ispreferably positioned in a more active riding position that improves therider's ability to raise and lower himself using his legs, absorb bumps,and lean into turns.

The inventors of the present invention realized that when the rider 300is in the position shown on the snowmobile 200, the snowmobile 200 couldbe designed to further improve the rider's comfort, control, and activepositioning if the snowmobile 200 directly supported the rider's lowerleg (e.g., his knee, inner leg/thigh, tibia, and/or shin). Accordingly,as described below, the snowmobile 200 is constructed and arranged tosupport the lower leg of the rider 300.

As shown in FIG. 1, a front fairing 305 and control console 310 enclosean upper side of the motor 230. The fairing 305 is preferably rigidlymounted to the frame 210, but may alternatively be removably mounted tothe frame 210 so as to enable easy access to the top of the motor 230. Amotor pan 315 is mounted to the frame 210 below the motor 230 to protectand enclose the underside of the motor 230.

As shown in FIGS. 1–3, right and left side panels 320 pivotally connectto the frame 210 at side panel pivot axes 330 such that each of the sidepanels 320 have open and closed positions relative to the frame 210.Because the left and right side panels 320 are generally mirror imagesof each other, only the right side panel 320 is described in detail. Itis to be understood, however, that aside from the noted exceptions (forexample, only the right side panel 320 has a rewind starter hole 440),the description of the right side panel 320 also applies to the leftside panel 320.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the side panel 320 is closed, itencloses and protects a lateral side of the motor 230. An upper edge ofthe side panel 320 preferably mates with a side edge of the fairing 305and/or console 310. Similarly, a lower edge of the side panel 320preferably mates with a side edge of the motor pan 315. Consequently,when the side panels 320 are closed, the side panels 320, motor pan 325,console 310, and fairing 305 protect and enclose the motor 230.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, when the side panel 320 is opened, a lateralside of the motor 230 and other snowmobile 200 components areaccessible. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the snowmobile 200 includes alatch mechanism 340 that selectively holds the side panel 320 in itsclosed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the latch mechanism 340comprises upper and lower latches. However, a variety of alternativefastening devices (e.g., cotter pins, bolts, straps, etc.) may be usedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, to enable the side panel 320 to swing generallyhorizontally between its open and closed positions, the side panel pivotaxis 330 preferably extends in a generally vertical direction.Accordingly, an angle α formed between the side panel pivot axis 330 anda vertically extending line 350 is preferably less than 45 degrees andis more preferably less than 30 degrees. The angle α is preferably about19 degrees.

While the illustrated side panel 320 mounts to the frame 210 through apivotal connection and a latch mechanism 340, the side panel 320 mayalternatively mount to the frame 210 via a variety of alternativefasteners (e.g., a plurality of latch mechanisms, straps, etc.). Theside panel 320 may alternatively be removably mounted to the frame 210.The side panel 320 may alternatively be permanently rigidly mounted tothe frame 210 such that the side panel 320 may not be opened. In such anembodiment, alternative means for accessing the motor 230 should beincluded (e.g., a removable top fairing such as the motor cover 100shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, etc.).

As illustrated in FIGS. 2–6, the right side panel 320 includes first,second, and third side panel portions 360, 370, 380. The side panelportions 360, 370, 380 are preferably integrally formed and comprise astrong light material such as high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”) orpolypropylene (PP). However, the side panel 320 may alternative comprisea variety of other strong, light, materials such as gel-coatedfiberglass, etc. Alternatively, each of the side panel portions 360,370, 380 may be separately formed and subsequently connected together.Furthermore, any one or more of the side panel portions 360, 370, 380may be omitted entirely without deviating from the scope of the presentinvention.

A forward end of the first side panel portion 360 pivotally connects tothe frame about the pivot axis 330. As illustrated in FIG. 6, aplurality of tabs 361 that are disposed on the forward end of the firstside panel portion 360 form part of a hinge or other type of pivotalconnection that defines the pivot axis 330. As shown in FIG. 5, thefirst side panel portion 360 is generally vertically oriented andextends rearwardly from the pivot axis 330. The first side panel portion360 provides a majority of the side enclosure for the motor 230.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second side panel portion 370 extendslaterally inwardly from a rearward end of the first side panel portion360. The second side panel portion 370 includes a wind deflector 390toward its upper end. A removable padded knee rest, which may be formedas part of the wind deflector 390, may be applied to an upper portion ofthe side panel portion 370 to increase the comfort to the driver. Theknee rest is preferably positioned at or near where the knee of therider 300 is positioned during operation of the snowmobile 200.Accordingly, the rider 300 may lean forward (relative to the riderposition illustrated in FIG. 1) to support his knees on the knee rest.Similarly, a lower portion of the second side panel portion 370 definesa lower front leg support 395 that is adapted to support the front ofthe rider's lower leg (e.g., the rider's shin or tibia).

The second side panel portion 370 is constructed and arranged to be atleast slightly wider than the rider's legs and extend laterallyoutwardly beyond the rider's legs when the rider 300 is in the standardriding position. Consequently, the rearward end of the first side panelportion is disposed laterally outwardly from the rider's legs anddeflects wind, snow, and other debris away from the rider's legs duringthe operation of the snowmobile 200.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the third side panel portion 380 isgenerally vertically oriented and extends rearwardly from an innerlateral end of the second side panel portion 370. The third side panelportion 380 preferably defines an inner leg support 400 that isconstructed and arranged to be disposed at or near the rider's innerlegs or thighs. Accordingly, the rider 300 may help position himself bypushing his legs laterally inwardly against the inner leg support 400.

Together, the knee rest, lower front leg support 395, and inner legsupport 400 of the side panel 320 define a lower leg support 410. Thelower leg support 410 improves the rider's comfort and ability toactively position himself. Any one of the knee rest, lower front legsupport 395, and inner leg support 400 may be omitted from the lower legsupport 410 without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a lower part of the latch mechanism 340secures the lower part of the second side panel portion 370 to the frame210. Similarly, an upper part of the latch mechanism 340 secures anupper part of the third side panel portion 380 to the frame 210. Thelatch mechanism is preferably recessed relative to the outer surface ofthe second and third side panel portions 370, 380 such that the latchmechanism does not interfere with the rider's ability to comfortablyrest his legs against the side panel 320. The latch mechanism 340 mayalternatively connect between other portions of the side panel 320 andframe 210 without deviating from the scope of the present invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, the integrally formed side panel portions360, 370, 380 strengthen each other because of the various angles formedbetween the side panel portions 360, 370, 380. Accordingly, the sidepanel 320 can effectively withstand the loads exerted by the rider 300on the lower leg support 410 without the need for additional reinforcingstructures in the area of the lower leg support 410. The side panel 320transfers the forces exerted on the lower leg support 410 to the framethrough the latch mechanism 340 and the pivotal connection formedbetween the side panel 320 and the frame 210.

Alternatively, the first side panel portion 360 may be formed separatelyfrom the second and third side panel portions 370, 380. In such anembodiment, only the first side panel portion 360 would pivot relativeto the frame 210 to enable access to the motor 230. The second and thirdside panel portions could rigidly mount to the frame. Because the firstand second side panel portions would be latched together, rather thanintegrally formed, the second side panel portion 370 might lesseffectively transfer knee loads to the first side panel portion 360 andframe 210. Accordingly, additional reinforcing structures may need to beprovided between the frame 210 and the second side panel portion 370 toensure that the lower leg support 410 is rigid enough to withstand theforces exerted on it by the rider 300.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the motor 230 is an internalcombustion engine that includes an electric starter (not shown). In casethe electric starter fails, however (due to battery discharge, etc.), arewind starter 420 (FIG. 3) is also provided. The rewind starter 420includes a cord 425 and a handle 430. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, hole440 is formed in the third side panel portion 380 to enable the rider300 to access and use the rewind starter 420 without opening the sidepanel 320. The hole 440 is preferably defined by sides 445 that arerecessed relative to an outer surface of the third panel portion 380.When the rewind starter 420 is in its rewound position, the handle 430preferably does not extend outwardly past the outer surface of the thirdside panel portion 380. Accordingly, the starter handle 430 does notinterfere with the rider's comfortable use of the third side panelportion 380 as the inner leg support 400.

While the hole 440 is disposed in the third side panel portion 380 ofthe left side panel 320 in the illustrated embodiment, the hole 440 andaccompanying starter handle 430 may alternatively be positioned in avariety of other locations. For example, the rewind starter 420 may bedisposed on the right side of the snowmobile 200 and the accompanyinghole 440 may be disposed on the right side panel 320. Furthermore, thehole 440 may be positioned in any part of the side panel 320 (e.g., inthe first or second side panel portions 360, 370, between two of theside panel portions 360, 370, 380, etc.) without deviating from thescope of the present invention.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed with reference to the accompanying figures, it is evident thatvariations and modifications are possible that are within the spirit andscope of the preferred embodiments described herein. In addition, whilethe side panel has been described with reference to use with asnowmobile, most if not all the features of the side panel could beapplied to other environments as well, such as for other vehicles, orfor securing members that are movable with respect to one another.

1. A snowmobile comprising: a frame; a motor supported by the frame; anendless drive track supported by the frame and operatively connected tothe motor; a straddle seat supported by the frame; two steering skissupported by the frame; a side panel supported on the snowmobile so asto be capable of relative pivotal movement about a side panel axis, theside panel having open and closed positions relative to the snowmobile,the side panel having a lower leg support that is constructed andarranged to support a snowmobile rider's lower leg.
 2. The snowmobile ofclaim 1, wherein: the side panel is connected to the frame.
 3. Thesnowmobile of claim 1, wherein the side panel axis forms an angle with avertically extending line that is about 19 degrees.
 4. The snowmobile ofclaim 1, wherein a side of the motor is accessible when the side panelis in the open position.
 5. The snowmobile of claim 1, wherein the sidepanel covers a side of the motor when in its closed position.
 6. Thesnowmobile of claim 1, wherein the lower leg support is rigidlysupported by the frame such that lower leg forces exerted on the sidepanel by the snowmobile rider are transferred to the frame through theside panel.
 7. The snowmobile of claim 1, wherein the side panelcomprises: a first panel portion that extends generally longitudinallyand vertically; a second panel portion that extends laterally inwardlyfrom a rearward end of the first panel portion, the second panel portiondefining the lower leg support; and a third panel portion that isgenerally vertical and extends rearwardly from an inward portion of thesecond panel portion.
 8. The snowmobile of claim 7, further comprising alatch mechanism that selectively secures the third panel portion to theframe.
 9. The snowmobile of claim 7, wherein the first panel portion isconstructed and arranged to be disposed laterally outwardly from thesnowmobile rider's leg so as to protect the snowmobile rider's legduring operation of the snowmobile.
 10. The snowmobile of claim 7,wherein the third panel portion defines an inner leg support.
 11. Thesnowmobile of claim 1, wherein the side panel has a knee rest that isconstructed and arranged to support the snowmobile rider's knee.
 12. Asnowmobile comprising: a frame; a motor supported by the frame; anendless drive track supported by the frame and operatively connected tothe motor; a straddle seat supported by the frame; two steering skissupported by the frame; a side panel supported on the snowmobile, theside panel having a lower leg support that is constructed and arrangedto support a snowmobile rider's lower leg, a starter cord and handleoperatively connected to the motor, the side panel including a holethrough which the handle may be accessed to start the motor.
 13. Thesnowmobile of claim 12, wherein: the side panel has an outer surfacethat surrounds the hole, when the handle is in a wound position, thehandle does not extend outwardly past the outer surface, and when thehandle is in a unwound position, the starter cord passes through thehole.
 14. The snowmobile of claim 12, wherein: the side panel s capableof relative pivotal movement about a side panel axis, and the side panelhas open and closed positions relative to the snowmobile.
 15. Thesnowmobile of claim 14, wherein the side panel axis forms an angle witha vertically extending line that is about 19 degrees.
 16. The snowmobileof claim 14, wherein a side of the motor is accessible when in its openposition.
 17. The snowmobile of claim 14, wherein the side panel coversa side of the motor when in its closed position.
 18. The snowmobile ofclaim 12, wherein the lower leg support is rigidly supported by theframe such that lower leg forces exerted on the side panel by thesnowmobile rider are transferred to the frame through the side panel.19. The snowmobile of claim 12, wherein the side panel comprises: afirst panel portion that extends generally longitudinally andvertically; a second panel portion that extends laterally inwardly froma rearward end of the first panel portion, the second panel portiondefining the lower leg support; and a third panel portion that isgenerally vertical and extends rearwardly from an inward portion of thesecond panel portion.
 20. The snowmobile of claim 19, further comprisinga latch mechanism that selectively secures the third panel portion tothe frame.
 21. The snowmobile of claim 19, wherein the first panelportion is constructed and arranged to be disposed laterally outwardlyfrom the snowmobile rider's leg so as to protect the snowmobile rider'sleg during operation of the snowmobile.